Chaos Erupts in Cap Haitien as Haitian Troops Abandon Posts

The small northern coastal city of Cap Haitien, Haiti, descended into chaos on Sunday, a day after a deadly firefight between US Marines and Haitian soldiers left 10 armed Haitians dead. Hundreds of civilians stormed the abandoned military and police stations, seizing guns, identity cards, and even musical instruments. The US Marines, who had been stationed in the city since last Tuesday to provide security for a transition to democracy, secured the main military barracks after discovering that the Haitian troops had abandoned their posts.

Key Takeaways:

• The Haitian troops and police abandoned their posts in Cap Haitien on Sunday, following a firefight with US Marines that left 10 armed Haitians dead.
• Hundreds of civilians stormed the abandoned stations, seizing large caches of weapons and ransacking the property of the former Haitian authorities.
• The US Marines secured the main military barracks and set up checkpoints throughout the city to maintain order and prevent the collapse of Haitian authority from turning violent.
• The firefight on Saturday was the first fatal clash between Haitians and American occupation troops, with the US Marines claiming that the Haitians opened fire first.
• Two men believed to be policemen, who were wounded in the shooting, surrendered to the US Marines after a long siege.
• US President Bill Clinton voiced regret over the loss of life but reiterated that US forces were prepared to use force to counter any attack.

Statistics:

• 10 armed Haitians were killed in the firefight with US Marines on Saturday.
• 1900 US Marines arrived in Cap Haitien last Tuesday to provide security for the transition to democracy.
• At least two Haitian policemen were wounded in the shootout and surrendered to the US Marines after a long siege.
• Hundreds of civilians were involved in the storming of the abandoned stations, seizing large caches of weapons.

Sources:

• (AP)
• (Reuter)